New devices change the world

The other day I ran across an old reel to reel tape player and it reminded me of just how profound the technological changes have been during my lifetime as we've transitioned from analog to digital. Most of us have lived through what can only be called a technological revolution that has impacted and transformed virtually every aspect of our lives.

As caught up as I think I am with technology, I realize that the rate of change is so rapid and the changes themselves are so profound, that being current — especially for business related functions — requires that you constantly stay up on the new developments.

And yet, as I watch the way young people interact with technology — which is often in ways completely different from how I do — I realize that we're entering a period of even more profound change. These young people — Millennials they're called — are fast becoming the largest population cohort in the country and will soon be larger than even the baby boomers. Think about how profoundly boomers have shaped America and the world. Now imagine that level of change amplified by today's, and, more importantly, by tomorrow's technology, as this large and growing group of Millennials takes over.

To my mind, if you're in business today and not thinking about how to reach this group, you're not likely to survive for the longer term. Sure, you might ride out the baby boomer wave but you may not make it beyond that.

If, however, you plan on being around for the years and generations to come, you've got to stay current. You have to know how to use the latest tools — right now they're websites and smartphones and iPads — tomorrow they will be cloud computing and who knows what else. (In computer circles, they're already talking about the demise of the PC as these new tablet devices and Internet file storage take their place.)

But this kind of change is a good thing. It's exhilarating. It's cool. It's exciting. And it's the language of the future. Tomorrow's customers will be plugged in, perhaps in ways we can't even yet imagine, but if we're going to stay pertinent to their lives we have to stay current with these changes.

This annual technology issue is designed to keep you abreast of those changes and to give you a preview of the tools available for your business. Let's start with the flooring industry itself where you'll get a review of existing programs to help you run the day-to-day operations of your business as well as using B2B data exchange to streamline order efficiency. We've also got ideas about websites and social media which are emerging as the most important tools for reaching and engaging your customers.

You have only to watch young people as they interact with the world and with each other through their smartphones to see how different the rules of engagement are today.

But don't be daunted by all these changes — remember, we've seen it all, we've adapted and we've seen our lives transformed for the better. Bring it on.